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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 82-03-15079 MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGUI,AI~ MEETING OF THE CYPRESS CITY COUNCIL HELD March 15, 1082 The adjourned regular meeting of the Cypress City Council was called to order at 7:05 p.m. on Monday, March l 5, !987, in the Administrative Conference Room of the Cypress City Hall, ~g75 Orange Avenue, Cypress, California, ~avor Gerald Mullen presidint~. PPESFNT: Councilmembers Coronado, Partin, Rowan & ]X~ulIen ABSENT: Councilman Lacayo Councilman Coronado'reported that he had been contacted by a resident who was concerned over the possible closure of Morris Elementary School. She had rermested a Council representative to attend the School District's public bearing on the matter. Mayor Mullen e×nressed concern about City Council interference in District matters since the City lacked ~urisdiction in the area of school closures, and he suggested that the Council take no' official action. COUNCILMAN LACAYO ARRIVED AT 7:10 P.M. CONSIDERATION OF INTERVIFWS OF APPLICANTS FOR THE RECREATION 8,- CO~SMUNITY SEPVICES COMMISSION: The Citv Council interviewed six applicants to the Recreation & Community Services Commission. CONSIDERATION OF JOINT MEETING WITH PROPEPTY OWNERS ADJACENT TO THE CIVIC CENTER: Owners of property adjacent to the City Council were present for the joint meeting with the Council. Councilman Lacavo provided ~ summary of the Council's deliberations to date relating to potential development of the property located east of the Civic Center and south of Wicker Drive. He reported that the Council bad considered several ideas on how to dispose of the property and had formed a Redevelopment Agency which has the power to consolidate parcels and anprove development plans. He reported that the Ceuncil is in the process of trying to develop senior citizens housin~ on the City-ownert parcels in this area and stated the adjacent parcels may he affected. Councilman Lacayo stated the Council is interested in an integrated devel(~nment of the area and has considered consolidatina parcels for senior citizens housing. He stated the Council wanted the property owners to be aware of their plans and provide their opinions on the Council's proposal. He reported that the Citv had recently purchased another parcel in the Civic Center area. Mr. Jim Windle, residinff on Wicker Drive, stated the Council's plans had never been presented to him and he had not been approached on the possible sale of his property. The Council advised him that the seniors group had formed a ~)rivate, non-profit foundation in order to pursue their housing proposal and the group bad approached property owners to determine their interest in selling their property. The Council indicated that the proposed site for the senior citizens housing, was on the property zoned multiple-family residential located south of Wicker Drive. They indicated that any development proposal in the Civic Center area would be subject to a public bearing. The Council reported that, subsequent to the City's purchase of the Matlock parcel, other property owners bad offered their land for sale to the City which is why the Council wanted' all pronerty owners to be involved in the planning process. ~ar. Paul F, rskine, owner of property on OranFe Avenue, inquired about the proposal by Fantastic Properties to develop the commercially zoned !~arcels on Orange Avenue. Mayor Mullen reported that Fantastic Properties could not proceed with their plans because of financin~ difficulties. He stated that he did not favor acquirin~ any property in the commercial office zone. Mr. Erskine asked if the 1)roDosaI by the seniors' non-vrofit grouv was a dead issue. The Council indicated that the seniors and Council were investi~atin~ the possibility of private enterprise development of seniors housing as well as various 'financing methods. The Council reported that in the near future they planned to tour senior housing projects which have been developed by private enterprise. City Council Minutes March Mr. Windle asked about the type of seniors housing proposed and whether it would be high- rise development. ~ayor Mullen responded that the Cmmcil had no concrete plans and the extent of their action was to approve the concept of seniors housing in this area. Mayor },%llen felt high-rise development would Be incompatible with the Civic Center as well as the residential area to the north, lle stated the specific proposal which had been presented by the seniors group was for two-story development. 5,~rs. Vandermeer~ a~ owner of property on the north side of Wicker Drive~ expressed concern that she did not know whether to proceed with Building a new home on her property because of the uncertainty of the City's plans. She stated she would like to build a new home and remain on the property. Xtrs. Vandermeer asked if she would be compensated for her new home if the City decided to purchase her property. Councilman Rowan responded that Mrs. Vandermeer had a right to build a home if her property was a legal-sized parcel, lie stated that, if there was a need for the City to acquire her propert% she would be entitled to receive the fair market value as well as a relocation payment. Mr. Erskine brought up the fact that previously there had been uncertainty by some CouncJlmembers about supporting the Pedevelopment Agency. l~e inquired about the Agency's intended purpose. Councilman Rowan indicated that the Agency was l~urchasing parcels as they were beina offered for sale. 14e stated the Agency bas the advanta~,e over privatepropertv owners of being able to bold onto property for several years, lie indicated the Agency can consolidate parcels for future resale and resolve problems by eliwinatin~ land-locked parcels and straightening out property boundary lines. Mr. Erskine expressed concern about the tmcertaintv of the City's plans and felt the Redevelopment Agency posed an overhanging threat of property condemnation. He felt the City should have a definite policy and plans. The City Attorney advised that the Pedevelopment Plan can contain provisions providing that no property which conforms to the Redevelopment Plan and for whicb a certificate of compliance has Been issued will be subject to condemnation. Councilman Powan stated, the law provides that notices of the fact that property is subject to condemnation must be sent to the property owners when the Plan is considered. Pe stated he has never supported and does not intend to support condemnation~ unless a property amper specifically requests that his propertvhe condemned, lie indicated that there are property owners who sell their property through a friendly condemnation process which enables them to receive the fair market value and relocation payments. Councilman Powan indicated the City has purchased parcels which have Been offered for sale and the City has not solicited the sale of any property. A representative of the Church of Christ indicated that the Church had not agreed to sell their property to the seniors' non-profit group because of the many uncertainties of the seniors' proposal including the financial terms. He stated the Church's primary interest with regard to selling their property is not to make a profit hut to find a permanent meeting place with the necessary facilities comparable to their existing location. The rel)resentative stated tho Church does not object to relocating and does not wish to obstruct the City. Mr. (;onza]ez~ a property owner south of Wicker Driv% stated be does not wish to sell his propertvhecause it provides him with a good income. He stated he would consider relocating. only if he coold purchase property elsewhere at comparable value. Mrs. Vandermeer stated some property owners wish to remain on their pronertv for the rest of their lives and do not wish to relocate. [~avor Mullah stated the consensus of the Council is that theV do not support the condemnation of property north of Wicker Drive and in the commercial zone along Orange Avenue, and that condemnation is doubtful ip the area proposed for seniors hou'sing. Councilman Lacayo pointed out that, if the seniors project is built, Vricker Drive would be fully improved and this would i~crease oropertv values north of Wicker. Mr. Erskine bald discussion with the Council re~arding the sale of properties in the Civic Center area and expressed his opinion that the Citv should purchase properties if they are offered at fair market prices but should not vurcbase properties at exorbitant prices. X.~ayor Mu!lan indicated that construction of the senior citizens housing should expedite the development of the Orange Avenue properties. -2- 081 City Council h~.inutes l~arcb l ~, lq87 kar. Windle pointed out that the commercial office space at the corner of Walker and Orange is unoccupied and he recommended that the Council study the commercial occupancy rates in Cypress and use them as a ~uide for future commercial development- ]Vavor Mullen advised him that the Chamber of Commerce is performing an inventory of vacant commercial properties in Cypress. Councilman Powan advised those in attendance that any development proposals in the Civic Center area will be the subject of a public hearing and the property owners will he notified. RECESS: Mayor Mullen called a recess at 9:16 p.m. The meeting was called back to order at '9:34 p.m. with all Councilmembers present. Councilman Lacayo reported that he has been working with staff on their study of a finance computer system and that, based on their study, staff was in support of an in-house computer system. He requested the Council's concurrence in directing staff to present a report on their findings and recommendations at the next Council meeting. The Council expressed no objections and staff was directed to present a report at the March ZZ meeting. CONSIDERATION OF PRELII~41NAIqY IPEVENUE ESTIMATES AIqD EXPENDITURE REOUESTS FOR THE 1982/83 BUDGET: Tl, e City t/anager presented a report dated March ! 1 which transmitted reports on the preliminary revenue projections and departmental budget recluests for the 1987/83 budget for both the City and District. Fe indicated that he would begin his review of the departmenta] requests with the department beads on ~arcb 17 and attempt to balance their requests with the projected revenues. Staff indicated that one of the revenue assumptions was the elimination of State financial assistance. Staff responded to several questions from Councilman Coronado re~arding the Tank Farm sales tax revenues and i~dicated they anticipated a reduction in revenues in the next fiscal year. Councilm~n Coronado asked that staff closely monitor the Tank Farm revenue situation. Staff responded to further cmestions regarding the revenue projections. Staff re~orted that reserve funds were not budgeted for expenditure and no funds were allocated in the budget for property acquisition. They reported that the Governor ~roposed no change Jn the State budget ]n the area of special district augmentation funds. Staff reported that capital projects such as the police building ~md cross gutter improvements were carried forward from last year and included in the 108?./83 budget. The Finmnce Director outlined the departmental expenditures for the 1981/g2 fiscal year. The City Manager reviewed the report on the Park District's revenue project]ons and 1982-8x budget ~equests. Staff reported that a major capital project for the District was Cypress/Arnold park improvements. ADJOURNMENT: IVayor ~ullen adjourned the meetin~ at 10:~0 p.m. ~AYOR OF TIlE CITY OF CYPRESS ATTEST: C--TI~-CI,ERK oF TIlE ftITY OF CvPI~ESS -3-